Roofing Appointment Setting: In-House vs Outsourced
Someone has to turn interest into a date on the calendar. The question is who.
What an appointment setter does
- Replies to new requests within minutes
- Checks the homeowner is a fit
- Books a time and confirms it
- Sends reminders
- Follows up with people who did not answer
It is a real job. Done badly, it wastes your marketing budget.
In-house
Pros
- Full control of the script and tone
- Knows your company and your area
- Can also handle customer calls
Cons
- A salary whether the phone rings or not
- Covers working hours only, unless you add shifts
- Hiring and training take time
- Holidays and sick days leave gaps
Outsourced
Pros
- Coverage for evenings and weekends
- You pay for output, not hours, in many models
- Starts quickly
Cons
- Less control of the conversation
- Quality varies widely between providers
- They may not know roofing
How to decide
| Your situation | Likely fit |
|---|---|
| Under 30 requests a month | Owner or office manager with good texting tools |
| 30–150 requests a month | One dedicated in-house setter, or outsource |
| Requests at all hours | Outsource evenings and weekends |
| Strong closers, weak follow-up | Outsource the setting, keep the selling |
What to demand from an outsourced provider
- First reply within minutes
- Written qualifying rules: owns the home, in your area, will be home
- Bookings straight into your calendar
- Instant notice of each booking
- Clear rules for no-shows
The hybrid
Many roofers keep an in-house person for warm calls and referrals, and use an outside partner for paid advertising. Each does what it is best at.
Questions roofers ask
How do I pay an in-house setter?
Commonly a base wage plus a bonus per inspection held. Pay on held, not booked, so quality counts.
Can my sales reps set their own appointments?
They can, but every hour dialing is an hour not selling. See sales rep capacity.
What does NorthLine do?
The whole first part: ads, contact, the text check by a real person, and the booking. You pay per booked inspection. Check your area.